Free A New Journey (Second Chance #3) by Christina Escue Page B

left Karla’s mouth the smoke detectors started blaring within the house.

Chapter Nineteen
     
    Trent’s tires squealed on the asphalt as he turned onto the road the Peterson’s lived on. When he saw the smoke billowing out the front door and windows he immediately pulled out his cell phone and called 911.
    “911, what’s your emergency?”
    “This is Detective Trent Greeves. I am at 1714 Hunters Lane and I need the fire department and rescue personal here immediately. There are two people trapped inside the house.”
    “I will dispatch them right away, Detective.”
    Trent ended the call and called Karla’s cell phone. “Trent, we’re trapped in Karla’s closet and the house is on fire.” Leslie said as soon as she answered the phone.
    “I’m right outside and have called the fire department. Can you two make it to Karla’s window?”
    “We can try. Why?”
    “I have a rope ladder in my trunk and if you can make it to her window I can try to get y’all out.” Trent explained as he opened his trunk and took out the ladder.
    “We’ll try.” Leslie said as she grabbed Karla’s hand.
    “I’m hanging up now. Open her window and we’ll try to get you out.”
    Once Leslie ended the call she opened Karla’s closet door and pulled Karla over to the window. She threw the curtain aside and opened the window. There wasn’t any smoke up here yet, but she could hear the alarms sounding from downstairs. She saw Trent walking toward them carrying the ladder, but she also saw the car from earlier parked a few houses down on the street.
    Before Trent could get to them the night sky filled with red lights and sirens. Leslie knew in that moment that she and Karla would be alright. “Trent, we’re up here.” She shouted down and Trent waved to the firefighters on the street. She noticed the black car still sitting in the same spot and she decided it needed to be checked out. She sent a text to Trent while the firefighters approached with a tall ladder.
    When Trent’s phone vibrated he pulled it out and looked at the text Leslie had sent. He grinned to himself at her ability to keep calm and do what needed to be done. He calmly walked back to his car, which was parked pretty close to the black sedan. He climbed into his front seat, focused on the license plate through the rearview mirror and called it in. “Hey, Connie, Greeves here. I need you to run a plate for me please.” He said and rattled off the tag number.
      “Detective, the car is registered to Anthony Knopp Jr. He has outstanding warrants in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama and here in Tennessee.”
    “Thanks, Connie. Can you dispatch all available units to block off both ends of Hunters Lane? Tell them to come in silent.”
    “You got it.” Connie said and thirty seconds later Trent heard his radio beep and the order come through.
    He grinned, got out of the car and walked back toward the house. He didn’t want to tip off the driver of the car that he knew who he was. When he reached the house Karla was just stepping off the ladder and jumped into his arms.
    “I am so happy you got here when you did.” She said with tears streaming down her face.
    “I am too, sweetheart.” He answered as Leslie stepped off the ladder and joined them.
    “Are you Detective Greeves?” One of the firefighters asked as he approached them. When Trent nodded he said, “The fire was contained to the mud room and kitchen area, but there is smoke damage to the living room and upstairs hall. All the doors were shut so it seems none of the bedrooms were affected.”
    “That’s something at least.” Leslie said as she wrapped her arms around Karla. “I need to call Andrew. He needs to know what happened before he comes home and sees all of this.”
    “Go ahead and call him. He won’t be able to get down the street for a couple of hours though. Which brings me to ask, Karla, what can you tell me about Tony?”
    Karla stood there for a minute before she answered.